Bathinda: Three houses falling in the alignment of the Bharatmala Pariyojana under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were demolished in Dunneke village of Moga district on Saturday, triggering protests by farmers.
Several farmers were detained after they attempted to stop the demolition and raised slogans against the state government. Protesters alleged that the district administration had assured them a 15-day window to either obtain written relief from authorities or dismantle the structures themselves, but the demolition was carried out before the deadline expired.
The administration said the drive was undertaken to hand over the land to the NHAI.
House owners demanded compensation for built-up structures on par with commercial properties, while authorities said compensation was paid as admissible for residential houses, including construction costs.
Farmer Balour Singh, associated with BKU Ekta (Ugrahan), said after notices were issued, affected families met the Moga ADC, who directed them to the Ferozepur divisional commissioner. "We were then asked to meet the deputy commissioner, but we failed to get justice at any level. We will continue protests until adequate compensation is paid," he said.
Farmers also claimed the houses, built 10 to 20 years ago, were demolished without adequate displacement allowance. The administration denied the charge, stating that solatium had already been disbursed.
Fourteen farmers were detained and taken to Moga Sadar police station but were released later.
Moga deputy commissioner Sagar Setia told TOI, "The issue had been pending for a long time. The Ludhiana–Ferozepur highway is almost complete in Moga, but Dunneke, being the starting point, was causing delays. Compensation, including solatium, has been paid as per norms. Some farmers were raising undue demands. The action was taken strictly according to law."
